The Journey: From $2.50 an Hour to the American Dream

Dr. Maxime’s story is the story of the American Dream, built entirely on the foundation of faith, hard work, and resilience.

Born and raised in Port-de-Paix in the northwest part of Haiti, Dr. Maxime migrated to the United States in April 1981 as an 18-year-old student. He arrived with very little English but with an unyielding determination to work and learn.

• Humble Beginnings: His first job in America was cleaning dishes in a restaurant for $2.50 an hour. To make ends meet, he also took on grueling grounds maintenance work, mowing lawns and cutting grass at local golf courses in the hot Florida sun for $4.50 an hour. He knew what it felt like to go home exhausted and sweat-drenched, working up to three jobs at a time to provide a better life for his loved ones and fund his children’s futures.

• A Lifelong Partnership: In 1984, he married his beloved wife, Dirana. Together, they have built a beautiful life in Broward County over more than 35 years of marriage, raising two wonderful children, Whitney and Caitlin, and celebrating their granddaughter, Kiana.

 
The Educational Pivot: Honoring a Father's Legacy

Dr. Maxime's path to higher education was not a straight line—it was earned through immense personal sacrifice. Because of the daily struggle to make ends meet and raise his family, Dr. Maxime frequently had to pause his studies to work.

One Monday, his father, who was hospitalized at Holy Cross, looked at him and asked a question that would change his life: "I know you have been going to school a long time. When are you going to get that degree?" Two days later, on Wednesday, his father passed away.

Devastated but deeply inspired, Dr. Maxime used that final conversation as the ultimate catalyst. He returned to school with a renewed fire:

• GED: Dillard High School

• Associate Degree in Business Administration: Broward College

• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA): Nova Southeastern University (with a Minor in Marketing)

• Master of Theology (M.Th.): Ordained in 2011

• Doctor of Divinity and Sacred Letters: Liberty Bible School & Seminary

• Certified Legal Studies Certificate: Scranton, Pennsylvania

 
A Life of Visible Community Impact

Dr. Maxime has always believed that true moral leadership requires public action. For decades, he has used his professional skills to empower his community:

• Advantage Tax Firm Consulting Services: In 1996, Dr. Maxime founded his own local business. As an accountant and certified immigration consultant, he has sat with thousands of families, helping them understand their legal rights, resolve tax crises, start businesses, and navigate the journey to U.S. citizenship. Over thirty years, he has successfully put millions of dollars back into the pockets of hardworking local taxpayers.

• A Voice on the Airwaves: For 20 years, Dr. Maxime has been a trusted voice on WLQY 1320AM, hosting the Tass Cafe Show. He has used his radio platform to educate, transform, and guide newly arrived immigrant families—teaching them how to navigate local government, find affordable clinics and hospitals, and integrate successfully into American society.

• Spiritual Stewardship: For 25 years, Dr. Maxime taught Sunday school in Broward County churches. In April 2010, his calling deepened when he was ordained as the Pastor of L’Eglise la Voix du Salut (Voice of Salvation Church) in Fort Lauderdale, where he has proudly pastored for 16 years.

• Community Recognition: Dr. Maxime’s grassroots efforts—from mentoring local youth in drug and alcohol prevention programs to collaborating with local food pantries to end hunger—earned him a Broward County Sheriff’s Certificate of Recognition. On November 22, 2020, Broward County formally issued a Proclamation declaring it "Reverend Dr. Kedner Maxime Day" in honor of his life of service.

 
Timeline: Decades of Dedicated Service

• April 1981: Arrives in the United States from Haiti as an 18-year-old student; begins working low-wage jobs cleaning restaurants ($2.50/hr) and cutting grass ($4.50/hr) while studying English.

• 1984: Marries his wife, Dirana Maxime, starting a family that would grow to include two children and one granddaughter.

• 1996: Establishes Advantage Tax Firm Consulting Services in Oakland Park, offering professional tax preparation, accounting, and immigration consulting to empower working families.

• 2006: Begins his long-running weekly radio program on WLQY 1320AM (Tass Cafe Show), educating and guiding the local community.

• April 2010: Ordained as the Pastor of L’Eglise la Voix du Salut (Voice of Salvation Church) in Fort Lauderdale.

• November 22, 2020: Formally honored by Broward County with the proclamation of "Reverend Dr. Kedner Maxime Day" for outstanding community contributions.

• 2022: Enters municipal public service by running for the Oakland Park City Commission.

• 2026: Announces candidacy for U.S. Congress in Florida’s 20th District to stand up for families facing economic hardship and representation gaps.

 
A Pastor’s Testimony: The 15-Year Green Card Miracle

Dr. Maxime believes that immigration policy isn't just about political talking points or paperwork—it is about real human families.

One night at his church, a woman carrying an unimaginable burden walked through the doors. She was a mother of five children, all of whom had severe disabilities. To make matters worse, her husband had recently suffered a debilitating stroke, leaving her as the sole provider and caregiver.

For 15 years, through the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations, her legal residency paperwork had been completely stuck in a bureaucratic logjam. Her previous lawyers had told her there was no hope, and that her case was permanently paused. She came to Dr. Maxime’s consulting office in tears, unable to legally work or drive, living in constant fear.

Dr. Maxime didn't just offer empty promises. Utilizing his deep legal training and decades of practical immigration experience, he drafted a comprehensive, highly specialized expedite request and a discretionary appeal to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. He gathered letters from her primary doctors and detailed the family’s extreme medical hardships. Together, they prayed and submitted the package.

Within weeks, she received her green card.

For the first time in fifteen years, she was able to drive her children to their medical appointments and go to work without fear of deportation. That is the difference between a career politician who disappears after election day and a servant leader who rolls up his sleeves to deliver practical results.